Striving for (HC)²: Healthier Children in Hawkins County

In June 2008, the US Department of Education notified Hawkins County Schools that they would be receiving the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) Grant.  $418,553.00 was awarded to Hawkins County Schools to put the following physical activity programs into place within the district: 

 -Quarter mile walking trails were developed at 11 elementary schools.  Schools will be given the opportunity to participate in pedometer based walking challenges.

-Ground cover for all elementary playground equipment was provided; all elementary school playgrounds are now in compliance with US Product Safety Commission guidelines for playground safety. 

-Each elementary school received their choice of $9,000 worth of new playground equipment.  

-All elementary teachers received a Take 10! Training Kit.  This program is for classroom teachers and is promoted by the State Office Coordinated School Health.  Take 10! provides 10 minute bouts of activity that coincide with lessons based on Tennessee State Standards for each grade level. 

-All elementary and middle school PE classes received new technology gaming integration.  Dance, Dance Revolution game system (with enough dance pads for the entire class to     participate), Nintendo Wii and Wii Fit, the Xavix gaming system, as well as Exerbikes, (stationary bikes that have video screens attached; riders can follow several different race/mountain biking courses) were purchased for all 17 Hawkins County Schools.  The integration of gaming technology into PE classes is a nationwide trend.  Research shows that American teens get an average of 4 hours of screen time (computers, tv, video games) each day.  Experts believe that if active screen time is introduced in schools, students may be more likely to engage in active screen time at home or away from school.

-Professional development funds for PE teachers were also granted.  Because many of our summer in-service opportunities are geared for classroom teachers, we requested grant funds specifically targeting professional development for our PE teachers.  At our first meeting, we brought in an expert to discuss the most effective ways to integrate technology into PE class time.

-The ETSU Fit Kids program was implemented in our four schools that do not have full time PE teachers.  Currently St. Clair Elementary, Mooresburg Elementary, McPheeter’s Bend Elementary, and Keplar Elementary do not have full time PE teachers.  The ETSU Fit Kids program supplemented the PE programs at these 4 schools with a PE graduate provided an additional 10 hours of instruction time at each school.